Howdy, Y'all

Bible Study

2010-07-30T11:00:00Z

and studies of things in the Bible

]]> July 30, 2010 (Friday) There are many special studies in the Bible that one might find quite interesting. They may or may not have any spiritual significance, but, as I said, they are interesting. For instance, the gemstones mentioned in the Bible. The Bible names, followed by the present names, are: Sardius (Carnelian), Topaz (Peridot), Chalcedony (Emerald), Emerald (Almandine garnet), Sapphire (Lapis Lazuli), Sardonyx (Onyx), Jacinth (Agate), Amethystos (Amethyst), Chrysoprase (Citrine), Agate(Agate), Jasper (Jasper), and Onyx (Turquoise). There are scholarly explanations of what these gems may symbolize, and there are also many fanciful ideas about what they might mean. Then there are the colors named in the Bible: Amber, Black, Blue, Brown, Crimson, Gold, Gray, Green, Purple, Red, Scarlet, Silver, White, and Yellow. Some of these have symbolic significance. How about the numbers in the Bible, especially in the Book of Revelation? The symbolism represented in numbers is not only interesting, but sometimes necessary to the understanding of a specific verse of the Bible. For example, “3” is a divine number, but “4” is an earthly number. Added together, we get “7,” which is the perfect number. The number, “6,” falls short of “7,” and represents sin or evil. Emphasized, as in “666,” it means “very evil.” One of the most fascinating numbers in the Bible is repeated time after time, but in various contexts. It is the number, “40.” The number, “10,” represents “completeness,” and “4,” as stated above, “earthly, or related to life on earth.” “4 X 10 = 40.” The number, "40," therefore, seems to mean an extended period of time on earth. Studies in the Bible can be interesting, indeed.

Unforgiveness

2010-07-29T11:00:00Z

Bad

]]> July 29, 2010 (Thursday) A revival broke out on a college campus. It began when students forgave each other. "If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering” (Matthew 5:23-24). "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20). I. UNFORGIVENESS HINDERS WORSHIP II. UNFORGIVENESS HINDERS PRAYER III. UNFORGIVENESS HINDERS OUR LOVE FOR GOD IV. UNFORGIVENESS HINDERS OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH V. UNFORGIVENESS MUST GO: FORGIVENESS MUST TAKE ITS PLACE

A dear and precious song

2010-07-28T12:03:19Z

Sung by a dear and precious man July 28, 2010 (Wednesday) I'll never forget the worship service at a nursing home in Rockport on a Sunday afternoon almost 20 years ago. Rev. Al Bankert, then 95 years of age, resident of the home, widower, a former pastor of the Methodist church at Rockport, and a dear friend, sang "My Mother's Bible." Every word and note was clear, and the song was his own personal story, because when he was a boy he sat at his mother's knee as she read the Bible to him. His song was a beautiful tribute to his mother, and to the "Precious Book."
There's a dear and precious Book, tho' it's worn and faded now, Which recalls those happy days of long ago; When I stood at mother's knee, With her hand upon my brow, And I heard her voice in gentle tones and low.
Blessed Book, precious Book, On thy dear old tear-stained leaves I love to look; Thou art sweeter day by day, As I walk the narrow way That leads at last to that bright home above." Brother Al is in heaven now. Some day I'll get to hear him sing again.]]>

Goodbye?

2010-07-27T11:00:00Z

No. So Long for a While.

]]> July 27, 2010 Tuesday) Yesterday I conducted the funeral service for Viola McNorton, who had been my friend for 46 years. Ten years ago I participated in the funeral of her husband, Merle. Both people were very, very active in the First Baptist Church of Rockport and I considered myself fortunate to be counted among their friends. I knew them a long time, long enough to watch their family grow and to help them count their blessings. A few years ago, someone told me they attended a funeral I conducted and as I talked about the person who had passed, they began to identify with me in my efforts to talk about the deceased. The observer realized that I was talking about my friend, someone near and dear to me, someone I had known a long time. The person about whom I was speaking had been through many and varied experiences, and I had been there for some of them. We had gone through some very difficult times together, and happy times as well. Then the observer said to me, "I can see now that the longer you stay in a church as pastor, the more often you conduct the funerals of close friends. That must be hard." Well, it's hard to lose a friend, but it's a real privilege to be asked by their families to say a few words of remembrance. Such was the case today. After a friendship that spanned almost half a century, I said goodbye to a dear friend. But, and here's the part I like, it was not, "goodbye." It was, "so long for a while." We know that a believer who dies does not really die. Oh, of course the body dies. No doubt about that. But the spirit of that person leaves the human body and goes immediately to be with the Lord. "Absent from the body, present with the Lord" ( 2 Cor 5:8). We shall all be given new bodies that shall never die (1 Cor 15:50-58). We have a home in Heaven, and it's being prepared for us even as we live out this day here on Earth (John 14). It's not "goodbye," therefore, as we think of all the Lord has prepared for us. All these promises are yours if you have given your heart to Jesus as Savior and Lord. If you have not done that yet, you can do it today. Right now. You're invited to do so.

What's In A Name?

2010-07-26T11:00:00Z

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet

]]> July 26, 2010 (Monday) The latest Gulf storm weakened and came ashore in Louisiana. "Bonnie" was her name. She didn't last long. We tried to give Bonnie's name to a Tropical Depression a couple of weeks ago, but she never would get strong enough to merit the name. This "Bonnie," however kept it for only a short period and hardly deserved a name. Who knows but what the next "Bonnie" in 2016 will be a "stem winder." Names for storms from 2006-2025 can be found by clicking here. The most terrible storms have come to Texas during the month of September. This is not to say they can't arrive any time during the six-month hurricane season. The fierce winds of Hurricane Celia on August 3, 1970, in the Coastal Bend of Texas is strong evidence of that. Ever notice how we revert to slang terms to describe some weather events? "It's so muggy today," means it's hot and humid. An unusually bad snowstorm earlier this year in the Northeast was branded, "Snowmageddon." Hurricane Ike was a "booger." Camille was "no lady." Allison was "Rainzilla." A huge thunderstorm is a "monster." We we give something a name, we have added a new dimension to our understanding and handling it. For instance, your dog is "a dog" but mine is "Fido." He has a name. I can relate to him somehow. Maybe our naming weather events tames them in our minds. Or makes them more terrible. Whatever. Anyway, Bonnie was out there and now she's gone. The next one should be named, "Clyde," right? But no, it will be Colin. "Bonnie and Colin" doesn't do it for me. I've heard "Bonnie and Clyde" too many times in my life. Silly me.

Molasses

2010-07-23T11:00:00Z

Yum, yum

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The Caribbean Sea

2010-07-22T11:00:00Z

Where did it get its name?

]]> July 22, 2010 (Thursday) While looking at the weather maps and the developing weather system that may become a tropical storm or hurricane, I got to thinking about the Caribbean Sea. I asked myself, “Where did that name come from? What does it mean?” So, I looked it up on the good old Internet. Seems the Caribbean is named after the Carib people, who originated in South America but conquered and lived in some of the Islands to their north. They were a warfaring people with some macabre practices that were misunderstood by Columbus and others. When they defeated a fierce warrior, they tried to take his spirit into themselves by tasting their enemies’ flesh. They would take body parts back home and display them. All this was ceremonial with a significance associated with their beliefs. They were not cannibals (a word assigned by the European conquerors based on a word they heard among the indigenous people), if by “cannibals” we mean they ate human beings as food. That was not the case; it was all about warfare rituals. Since the explorers from Europe thought they had reached India, they called the people “Indians,” and the name stuck. Extensive studies have revealed to us that the history of the people who lived in this part of the world before it was discovered by Europeans is rich and varied. And sometimes complicated, complete with all sorts of traditions, ceremonies and rituals that the newcomers did not attempt to understand. Actually the word, “Carib” is not 100% accurate as a designation, because it seems to have been what the foreigners heard when the natives used the right words. But it’s the best we could do. So, welcome to the Caribbean Sea, a beautiful part of the world. But also a highway for hurricanes headed for the U.S.A.

Hospitals

2010-07-21T11:00:00Z

Then and Now

]]> July 21, 2010 (Wednesday) The nice thing about the Internet is that it’s always ready to show you something you may have never seen before. A few minutes ago I looked up a photograph of the Methodist Hospital in Houston that was built in 1919, and it was there waiting for me to take a look. I looked it up because I visited the Methodist Hospital complex in the Texas Medical Center Monday and was overwhelmed by its size. It is a magnificent collection of buildings on both sides of Fannin Street, all of them connected either directly or by walkways which blend in so well that I never knew when I was in a building or a walkway. A thoughtful man in medical garb saw my bewildered expression, I suppose, and asked me if he could help me. I said “yes” and he did. I couldn’t help remembering a visit, as a teenager, to the old Methodist hospital (long since demolished) near downtown. I wondered if there might be a picture of it on the Internet and, sure enough, there is. It, too, became a collection of buildings of various types of architecture. Here in the Heights there is a strong movement to preserve the old buildings. Houston, however, is not known for its preservation of the past. It is always moving forward, and leaving the past behind. Almost every landmark associated with my youth is now gone forever, and something else has taken its place. Such is progress. Back to hospitals, Spohn Shoreline Hospital in Corpus Christi is typical of how hospitals have changed and grown through the years. I watched it grow, almost like a living organism, from my first visit there in 1964 to the present day. Dr. Spohn’s first hospital was on North Beach 100 yards from Corpus Christi Bay in its first location. Hospitals back then had no private rooms, and precious little technology. The German word for hospital is krankenhaus, which literally means, “sick house.” Hospitals are so much more than that today.

"Do to others...

2010-07-20T11:00:00Z

...as you want them to do to you."

]]> July 20, 2010 (Tuesday) I’ve seen a few lists of late that bring me down. For instance, there is the list, “The Ten Worst Songs of the Summer.” Then there is “The Ten Worst Movie Characters of All Time.” And on the litany of bad stuff goes. Coupled with this ugly trend are some of the shows on television about celebrities. Appropriately called, “gossip shows,” they also bring me down. Added to this are the shows I never watch, but hear about, like “American Idol,” which features a cruel judge who crushes young people with surly remarks. We have the lists of “the worst dressed” or “the ugliest hair styles.” Why? All these kinds of things do not lift up humanity; they tear it down. Our generation is getting quite good at being critical and unkind. Whatever happened to the Golden Rule? And why have so many given up hope on lifting others with sincere expressions of appreciation and genuine words of praise and love? When I was in Junior High, “Opinion books” were introduced. A person’s name was written at the top of a page that was passed around for written opinions of him/her. The school confiscated them and outlawed them. As a kid, I did not understand why they were so bad. As a grandfather, I now see it clearly. The Bible gives us something about this to remember every day: “Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32 MSG).

Joy in our lives

2010-07-19T11:00:00Z

Jesus in our hearts

]]> July 19, 2010 (Monday) Fasting has always been a part of the rituals associated with many different religions. The Jews fasted. The disciples of John the Baptist fasted. For some reason, the disciples of Jesus did not fast. Some people came and asked Jesus about it, and He answered them with an illustration about a wedding. Weddings are known to be happy occasions, so Jesus simply asked the inquirers, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them?” (Mark 2:19). Fasting at a wedding was inappropriate, but was expected at a funeral. So Jesus continued, “the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.” Jesus was explaining that His presence gives people joy. When Jesus promised to be with us until the end of time (Matthew 28:20), His followers believed Him, because He keeps His promises. He said He would never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). The Apostle Peter reminded us of this great blessing: “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8 NIV). We Christians have problems and heartaches, for we are human. Indeed many Christians have suffered and died because they were believers. We have human bodies that are subject to illness and pain. But deep inside we have an abiding joy that cannot be taken from us. It is there because Jesus lives in us. We commit each day to His guidance and care, and we know it’s going to be a good day, because He is with us and we trust Him. No matter what.

Friends

2010-07-16T12:15:33Z

They do. They don't just talk.

]]> July 16, 2010 (Friday) In the Gospel of Mark, there is an account of a man who was brought by his friends to Jesus (Mark 2:1-12). Jesus was in Capernaum, teaching in someone’s house, and the crowds were tremendously large, so that no one could get near Jesus. These four friends found a way. The man they brought to Jesus was disabled, and lying on a mat. The men who carried him went up on the roof of the house, tore a hole in the roof, and lowered the sick man into the house, in front of Jesus. Jesus immediately said to him, “Your sins are forgiven.” The religious leaders who were there thought, “Only God can forgive sins. Who does this man think He is?” Jesus responded to their thoughts, and answered them aloud, “"Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" Here’s what the four men did for their friend: 1. They loved him. 2. They helped him. 3. They brought him to Jesus. We can be friends like that to someone today.

Dumb things

2010-07-15T12:09:33Z

Let's try not to do them

]]> July 15, 2010 (Thursday) A guy in New Jersey was arrested for shoplifting and let loose on $500 bail. After paying his bail in cash, he was set free. After he left the police station, somebody counted the money and discovered that several $20 bills he had paid were counterfeit. Now, if paying bail with counterfeit money is considered stupid, listen to this: the next day he came back, requesting some of it back, because he had overpaid. He’s in jail today because he can’t make bail. We all make mistakes and do dumb things, but some things are "dumber" than others. Now that we are in a recession of gigantic proportions, some squeaky little voices have become louder, questioning the validity of capitalism as an economic system. That's a dumb thing to do because there is actually only one system that can take its place, and that’s some form of socialism. Such systems have never lasted very long in the great sweep of human history. Capitalism has its evil side, to be sure. But if we step back and look at the whole picture, we can see that it provides the very best system that is compatible with individual freedom. Because we are free, we can say to any child, “You can become anything you want to become.” To forsake the economic system that provides opportunity for anyone, no matter whom, to succeed and prosper is dumb, because it trades the real thing for the counterfeit. Having said that, we must also remember that Americans are not the kind of people who willingly allow others to suffer without doing something to help them. That would be dumb too, for many reasons, not the least of which is that we are accountable to Almighty God for the way we treat each other.

Big Flower

2010-07-14T12:59:30Z

Really huge.

]]> July 14, 2010 (Wednesday) We saw it. My twin sisters, Elva and Melva, and I went to the Houston Museum of Natural Science Butterfly Center and saw the Corpse flower. First impression? HUGE!!! I’ve never seen anything like it. We took pictures of ourselves in front of it and were glad it wasn’t fully uncurled, because of the predicted odor. Nicest thing about the museum yesterday? Air-conditioning! My, how hot the weather is here in the middle of July. Heat index today may reach 106. We were concerned that we would not be able to find a parking place, but as we drove up, a car pulled away from a spot they left for us right at the front door of the museum. We were thinking about the long line waiting to see the flower, but because of my sister’s health we took the elevator and it opened up right in front of the plant. When will I ever learn not to worry about stuff, large and small? We were told that a temporary stench will fill the museum when it blooms. Then it will pass. In Wanda’s quest to raise every conceivable flower, she had one that was much smaller than the corpse plant but had a smell that rivaled its reputation. Not my favorite flower. One whiff was enough. Flowers are pretty, so they ought to smell nice. But when you are as gigantic in size as the one we saw yesterday, I guess you can smell any way you want to.

The Lawrence Welk Show

2010-07-13T11:00:00Z

That's Entertainment!

]]> July 13, 2010 (Tuesday) I have recorded Lawrence Welk programs in the past and recently have had an urge to create a file on these recordings so that I can know which songs have been recorded and how to locate them. This has made necessary my listening to the recordings. As I have listened, I have gained a new appreciation for the very high quality of performance and the quality of the music that he and his musicians presented to the public for so many years. I noticed that each of the programs now being shown on PBS has about 19 songs. Now think about that for a moment. The band members and singers had to learn the new music program, complete with new arrangements, fresh costumes, exact choreography, and long hours of hard work in rehearsals to present a brand new, fresh program every week. It’s rather amazing, really. Mister Welk had a great reputation as a family man, a person of excellent character and high ideals, along with a strong streak of faith in God and love of country. As such, he and others like him have been ridiculed by the rock and roll generations. But they played real music and sang real songs. Their values were morally sound and they were not ashamed of who they were. We need more of that today, and many of us really miss it. I love all kinds of music, and some of the songs I like better than others. It would probably surprise some of my younger family members and friends to know how much I, at 78, like some of the music they consider their own. There are very few things I don't enjoy to some extent. But I remember how everyone used to talk about what they had seen on the black and white screen when the Lawrence Welk Show had appeared, back in the 1950's. I'm glad we can still see the shows today. So, let me throw in a plug for “The Lawrence Welk Show,” still shown weekly on PBS. Try it, you’ll like it. If you’re my age, you’ll love it.

"She did what she could"

2010-07-12T11:00:00Z

Am I doing what I can?

]]> July 12, 2010 (Monday) The Nominating Committee of a local church sent all the members an open letter. It said, “We regret to inform you that ‘Somebody Else’ has moved away, so when we ask you to take a job in the church this year, we would like for you to keep that in mind.” No one accused Mary of Bethany of shifting her own opportunity to serve Jesus to “somebody else.” Indeed, the criticism of her giving to the Lord was very personal and aimed right at her. They said she did “too much.” Jesus, however, defended her and said, “She did what she could” (Mark 14:8 NIV). A good self-examination question for a Christian is, “Am I doing what I can?” If I am to do what I can, I must evaluate what I have. What do I have to work with? God does not hold me responsible for using what I do not have, so I should not berate myself for not doing what clearly I cannot do. He does, however, expect me to do what I can, using the resources I have. Remember Moses’ rod? His shepherd’s staff was more than likely a stick cut from a tree. Yet God asked Moses when he called him, “What is that in your hand?” He was expected to use what he had, to do what he could. If am to do what I can, I must know what I consider most important. Jesus was the most important person in Mary’s life. She was willing to give Him the best thing she had. He had top priority with her. Is Jesus the most important person in my life? If I am to do what I can, I must be willing. Am I doing what I can?

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do.” ..Edward Everett Hale